The end is near for Andrew Loveitt (GHS ’04), but it is also a beginning that he is really looking forward to. Since graduation in 2004, Loveitt has spent the last 13 years studying to become a physician and honing his skills as a surgeon. He is currently enrolled in a one year surgical fellowship in Advanced Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric and Endoscopic Surgery at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Crosby, Minnesota and is in the process of applying for a permanent surgical position. He would love to be able to come back and start his career in Northern New England next year.

Loveitt graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania in 2008 with a degree in Molecular Biology, then attended University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, earning a Doctor of Osteopathy degree in 2012. This was followed by a five year residency, working 80+ hour weeks, in General Surgery at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rowan University).

During his fellowship this year, he is studying more advanced minimally invasive surgical procedures, particularly in the fields of weight- loss surgery and surgery to prevent acid reflux. He said, “It has been a great experience. The hospital I am working at truly epitomizes the idea of giving back to the community. I hope to create a similar atmosphere when I move back to the Northeast.”

Loveitt was originally interested in pursuing a career in engineering, but realized early on that he did not enjoy the math. He said, “As a surgeon, I get to be an “engineer” of the human body. I have always enjoyed that concept. I have learned how to manipulate people’s anatomy and physiology in ways to cure them of disease, which is incredibly stimulating and rewarding.”

He performs laparoscopic surgery, which is surgery in the abdominal cavity through small incisions, and also endoscopy, which uses flexible cameras to examine the GI tract such as colonoscopy or upper endoscopy in order to diagnose and treat disease.

Loveitt believes he got a “phenomenal” education in the Gorham School system. He said, “Throughout college and even medical school I felt like I had a leg up because of the great background I had.” He added, “I think that the system as a whole has been a huge part of my success. I actually remember when I was applying to college they thought I had come from a private school because of how professionally everything was prepared by Gorham High.”

He had the following advice to share with anyone interested in pursuing a medical career or any career that requires a post-graduate degree: Go to the cheapest undergraduate school you can. He said, “As long as you put in the effort, you can get the same education at USM or UMO as you can at some $50,000 a year private school. In the end no one really cares where you went to undergrad.”

Loveitt currently lives in Deerwood, Minnesota, a town of 516 people, with his wife Courtenay and their dog, Rossi. Courtenay is from Jay, Maine and is also a physician. She specializes in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine/ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine.

Spare time is hard to come by with their busy schedules, but they enjoy outdoor activities including biking, skiing and hiking. They try to take advantage of the fact that they live near one of the top rated mountain bike parks in the country.

Loveitt is the son of Peter (GHS ’68) and Deborah Loveitt (stepmother) and his mother Anna and Ron (stepfather) Seekins. His sister Kate Loveitt Fontaine (GHS ’97), as well as stepbrother and sister Jeff (GHS 98) and Kari (GHS ’00) Seekins, are all Gorham graduates.

If anyone would like to ask Loveitt for advice on medical careers, they are more than welcome to contact him at aloveitt@gmail.com.